THE CHANNEL ISLANDS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 186, 15 July 1940, Page 3

THE CHANNEL ISLANDS

THEIR REMARKABLE HISTORY

The withdraAval of the British i'orees from the Channel Islands' means that alter centuries Britain has left the last portion of the Duke clom. of Normandy which has remained under the English Crown. The islands have been attached to Britain ever since the Norman Conquest, almost 000 years ago. Geographically the Channel Islands are more clos'ely linked to France than they are to Britain, as the latest development proves. They are only about 20 miles from the north coast of France', in the Gulf of St. Malo, and the most northerly of them are due west of Cape dela Hague, Geologically they are related to the) French mainland; their massive granites, gneisses and porphyrites are also seen in Normandy. Their mild and pleasant climate has made them a source of early crops for the British market. Their singularly l,ow taxation has made them a favourable place or residence for retired people. The King Their Duke. Independent of Britain, and regarding the Kiivg of England as their Duke, the Channel Islands are under two systems of Government. There is, first Jersey, and second, the bailiwick of Guernsey which includes the islands of Guernsey, Alderney and Sark, as well as the lesser-known Herm and Jethou. These six islands have an area of about 75 square miles, of which Jersey contains 45 square mites, and their population is about 100,000. The Constitution of both political divisions is roughly t;lie same. There is a lieutenant-governor appointed on the nomination of the War Office after consultation with the Home Office. Alderney and Sark have a separate legal existence, with their own courts, and the S3 r 3tem of government, with the bailiff, procurcur de roi,, avocat du toi, vicomte (high sheriff and coroner), and dozens or related parish councils, bears the stamp of its ancient origin and of adaptation of the Nor man feudal system to local needs. Two Languages Used. The old Norman French patois is dying out. French is the official language, but English is, the language of business and religion and is familiar to all. The channel islands have been active both in the World War and in preparation for the present struggle. In 1914-18 they provided large numbers of men and in 1917 the Imperial Government temporarily relieved the local funds of the cost of the mili--tia on the islands. Jersey contributed £75,000 to the cost of the war. and Guernsey's contribution was £100,000. Subsequently discussions were opened regarding further defence contributions and these were made by both political divisions. In 1938 Jersey agreed to the reinstitution of conscription, compelling all youths between 16 and 80 to undergo 50 drill's a jear arid youths between 18 and 20 to receive a year's preparatory training, whii-li also consisted of 50 parades of. an hour each. For nearly two centuries before the World War every Jerse.tf man. was automatically enrolled in the militia from the ages of 16 to 50.